The Tennessee Volunteers football program has had a pretty wild ride with the transfer portal lately. They’ve brought in some real stars, but, yeah, they’ve also watched a few promising guys head out for other chances.
This piece takes a look at the All-Ex Vols transfer portal team—basically, former Tennessee players who are still making noise in college football as of 2026. We’ll also stack that group up against Tennessee’s projected depth chart for 2026 to get a feel for where the Vols stand right now.
All-Ex Vols Transfer Portal Team
The All-Ex Vols transfer portal team is actually kind of fascinating. It’s a lineup of ex-Tennessee players who’ve landed with new programs and are still out there doing their thing.
These guys are scattered all over the country, showing off what they’ve got and making a difference for their new squads.
Offensive Standouts
The offense for the All-Ex Vols crew is stacked. At quarterback, Jake Merklinger is now running the show for UConn.
In the backfield, you’ve got Peyton Lewis at Virginia and Khalifa Keith at Alabama. Both bring their own style—speed, power, you name it.
Wide receiver? Chas Nimrod’s catching passes at Auburn, while Cam Seldon is doing his thing at USF. They’ve become go-to targets, no doubt.
At tight end, Jack Van Dorselaer landed at Oklahoma, where his size and athleticism really stand out. He’s a tough matchup for defenses.
Offensive Line and Special Teams
The offensive line features Lance Heard and Max Anderson, both now with Kentucky. Addison Nichols has taken over at center for SMU.
William Satterwhite lines up at right guard for LSU, and Bennett Warren holds down right tackle at Minnesota. Solid group, honestly.
On special teams, Max Gilbert is kicking for Arkansas. He’s been steady—maybe not flashy, but he gets the job done.
Defensive Playmakers
The defense for the All-Ex Vols is just as interesting. In the secondary, Rickey Gibson is at Texas A&M and Boo Carter is at Colorado, both playing corner.
Safety spots go to Kaleb Beasley at Louisville and Christian Harrison at Arkansas. John Slaughter is handling the nickel role at Colorado.
Linebackers? Brenden Anes is at Western Michigan, and Jalen Smith is at Mississippi State. They’re both solid tacklers with sharp instincts.
The defensive line has Jayden Loftin at Wisconsin, Jamal Wallace at Utah, and Caleb Herring at South Carolina. On the edge, Jordan Ross is creating chaos for LSU.
Tennessee’s Projected Depth Chart for 2026
Looking at Tennessee’s 2026 depth chart, there’s a lot of promise. Head coach Josh Heupel has kept some important players around and built a foundation that feels pretty sturdy.
Offensive Leaders
Faizon Brandon is set to lead the offense at quarterback. He’s got a calm presence and can make things happen.
Desean Bishop brings speed at running back. He’s the kind of guy who can break a play wide open if he gets a seam.
At receiver, Braylon Staley and Mike Matthews are ready to step up. Both are expected to play big roles this year.
The tight end combo—Ethan Davis and DaSaahn Brame—gives the offense some flexibility. They can catch and block, which is always handy.
Offensive Line and Special Teams
The offensive line is anchored by David Sanders at left tackle and Wendell Moe at left guard. Sam Pendleton holds down center.
Jesse Perry is at right guard, with Ory Williams at right tackle. It’s a group that looks tough on paper, at least.
On special teams, Cooper Ranvier is the kicker. He’s reliable and has a pretty decent leg.
Defensive Strength
The Tennessee defense in 2026 has some real depth. At corner, Ty Redmond and Kayin Lee lead the way.
Safeties Qua Moss and TJ Metcalf are solid in coverage, and Dejuan Lane adds some versatility at nickel.
At linebacker, Amare Campbell and Arion Carter bring speed and a nose for the ball. The defensive line features Xavier Gilliam, Daevin Hobbs, and Tyree Weathersby, with Chaz Coleman coming off the edge.
Comparing the Teams
So, when you line up the All-Ex Vols transfer portal team against Tennessee’s projected 2026 roster, it’s actually kind of wild. The transfer team has some players who could be NFL-bound—guys like Boo Carter, Rickey Gibson, Jordan Ross, Lance Heard, Caleb Herring, and Jack Van Dorselaer.
But Tennessee’s current roster? Honestly, it looks deeper and more balanced, especially on defense. That kind of depth could be the difference-maker if the Vols want to chase championships soon.
Conclusion
The Tennessee Volunteers have faced the ups and downs of the transfer portal lately. Some talented players left, which stings, but there’s still plenty of promise on the roster.
Honestly, the All-Ex Vols transfer portal team shows just how much talent has come through Knoxville. Still, looking at the current and incoming Vols, it’s hard not to feel a little optimistic about where things are headed.
If you want all the details and a full player list, the original article’s over at A to Z Sports.
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